The Biden administration has lifted a de facto ban on American military contractors deploying to Ukraine to help the country’s military maintain and repair US-provided weapons systems, particularly F16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems,

The Biden administration will give $6 billion in military aid to Ukraine before Donald Trump's presidential inauguration in January.

U.S. officials say the Pentagon is easing restrictions to allow a small number of private American defense contactors to work inside Ukraine, helping repair and maintain equipment.

The Pentagon will allow contactors to repair military equipment inside Ukraine for the first time, putting what a Defense official termed "a small number" of personnel inside the country at war with Russia.

Ukraine bonds have also rallied this week as investors grow hopeful that president-elect Donald Trump might try to broker a deal to end the war.

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Ukraine should remain neutral for there to be a chance for peace, adding that the borders of Ukraine should be in accordance with the wishes of the people living in Russian-claimed territory.

President-elect Donald Trump has already begun discussions with Western leaders about ending the war in Ukraine. He informed them that he intends to put pressure on the Russian leader, not just on Ukraine,